Newberry, S.C. – The Newberry College Women's Rugby had another first in its young program history: hosting the first home match after spending the last three weekends on the road. The matchup would be against the Bearcats from Lander University, as both teams looked to take all three games in the series and gain momentum as the season went forward. With a great crowd in attendance for such a day, along with great weather and playing conditions for Sunday morning rugby, Newberry's inaugural home rugby match would then commence around the 11 o'clock hour.
GAME 1: Lander 19, Newberry 0
The Bearcats would take the early advantage in the series as they would win the first game. The Bearcats would score three tries in the match, along with converting on two of their three conversion kicks. The Wolves got out to a slow start and were gaining momentum, but Lander would be able to change the game and prevent Newberry from successfully securing a try. The Wolves would then take their talents to the next game in hopes of a better result.
GAME 2: Lander 20, Newberry 14
The second game in the series, the Wolves would start much better than they did in the first game. The first score for the Wolves would successfully be scored by freshman scrum half Anna Howell (Boise, Idaho) to put Newberry up in the game and a successful conversion kick from senior prop Ariana Hawkins (Valdese, N.C.) extended the lead to seven. Lander would then score a try of their own right before the half, and the Bearcats would eventually score a second try a little into the second half. A third and fourth try would all but secure a victory for the Bearcats, but here came the Wolves with a try and conversion from freshman center Vicky Noel (Elgin, S.C.) and Hawkins. Ultimately, it would prove too little, too late for the Wolves as they would drop the second game.
GAME 3: Lander 31, Newberry 0
The third game in the series, the Wolves set their sights on securing a victory, but the Bearcats would prove to be too much for Newberry. The Bearcats would score five tries in the match, with the Wolves unable to match the offensive output in the game. Three successful conversions would tack onto the score and complete a victory in all three matches for the visitors.
The Wolves will be back on the field on College Street October 8, as Alderson Broaddus comes into town for their second matchup against Newberry, with a scheduled 11 AM kickoff.
